The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-12
LAMAR AND SPARKS OUT.
THE SECRETARY SAYS ONE OR THE
OTHER MUST GO.

Differences of Opinion Over the Ad-
justment of the Chicago, st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad
Lead to the Tilt--A Spirited Letter
from the Former.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-Secretary
Lamar, late this afternoon sent letter to
Commissioner Sparks, sharply replying to
a communication from him relative to the
adjustment of the Chicago, st. Paul, Min
neapolis and Omaha railway land grants,
and informing him in conclusion that either
he, or the Secretary must forthwith retire
from the Department. Secretary Lamar
says:
have neither the disposition to enter upon a
polemic discussion with subordinate, nor 10
engage with him at his inSStance in gladlato-
rial combat; especially so in a matter in which
he has received my carefully matured instruc-
tons. In no other way can the functions or a
great public department be successfully exc
cuted than for the chief to command and the
subordinate to obey.
REVIEWING THE POINTS.
Secretary Lamar then reviews carefully
and in detail the points of Commissioner
Sparks letter to which he takes exception,
and says:
You conclude your paper with another elabo-
rate criticism of my descision upon the branch
line OF the Omaha road; You claim gross
error on my part in allowing indemnity for
upon the ,proviso 10 the, grant
1t seems, however, to have escaped your atten-
ton that 1t was nei Their my purpose nor my
duty in communicating to you my constructions
of this grant to assume the task of convincing
you of the correctness of these instructions by
elaborate citation of all decided cases appli-
cable to the subject. had conceived
it to bib be my N.Y. duty as the : head d
strictly in view my oath of Office to direct you
as to what duties | required you to perform. |
had also conceived it to be equally your duty
under the same obligations to obey my instruc-
tionS or withdraw yourself from the duty of so
doing in the only way recognized under the
laws and usages of public life in civilized coun-
tries, especially so when was myself but acting
IN direct conformity to the recent act of Con-
greSs which imposes upon me the exclusive duty
of causing the grants to be adjusted.
AGREED ON ONE POINT.
In conclusion the Secretary says:
However we may differ in our construction of
the statutes or of decided cases, and whatever
variance may exist in our conceptions of our
public duties, l am constrained to say to
you that there is obviously one
point upon which we are in thorough accord.
Upon this point you have succeeded in the
communication before me in riVeting on my
mind profound conviction The practical eff
feet of your present course. is that you cannot
execute my orders, and follow my instructions
and cooperate in my administration without
surrendering opinions which should be con-
scientiously entertained with reference to
vitality important interests. Under these
circumstances it is due to orderly
and decorous administration of the government,
to important pubic interests and the common
cause confided in part to our hands by the
President, and to the personal regard that we
should both entertain for him, that he shall be
allowed to choose a Secretary of the Interior
who will confirm his administration to your
opinions or to appoint Commissioner of
Public Lands who will administer his bureau in
harmony Of spirit and concert of action
with the chief of the Department, and without
putting him to the necessity of more decisive
action on his part The alternative shall sub
init to the President, at the same time that this
paper shall be handed to you.
The President has asked for the resigna-
ton of Commissioner Sparks in consequence
of Secretary Lamar's letter. 1t will of
course be forthcoming. Mr.. Sparks would
not see newspaper men tonight, pleading
the fact that he felt sick" as an excuse.